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3 The Business of Reports What Is a Report? Report ◦oral presentation or written business document that provides information, requests funding or approval, analyzes company or market data, or makes recommendations for innovation and change

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4 The Business of Reports Styles of Reports Informal reports ◦usually brief and use personal pronouns (I, we, and you) and a direct style Formal reports ◦long and are constructed in a prescribed format

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9 Purposes of Reports Sample Annual Report Analyze or Justify Analytical reports ◦offer interpretations of information or solutions to problems Justification reports ◦offer support for an action or determine the potential benefit of an action based on a series of reasons

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10 Purposes of Reports Analyze or Justify (continued) Feasibility study ◦type of justification report that includes detailed research, analysis, and a judgment on the potential success or failure of an action

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13 Purposes of Reports Persuade and Propose Persuasive reports ◦propose, request, or recommend specific actions or problem solutions Business plan ◦comprehensive report that defines and describes all the components of a business, including its feasibility, profitability, and marketing environment

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14 Purposes of Reports Persuade and Propose (continued) Proposal ◦persuasive written report that offers to provide a service, sell a product, or provide a solution to a problem or need Solicited formal proposals ◦submitted at the request of a potential funder

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15 Purposes of Reports Persuade and Propose (continued) Funder ◦business, government agency, or private foundation that will approve or finance a project Unsolicited formal proposals ◦submitted to a government agency, company, or individual without having been requested or invited

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16 Purposes of Reports What Are the Differences between Reports and Proposals? ◊Reports -provide information, analysis, or recommendations -used to solve problems -monitor or document progress -clarify or implement policies or procedures -guide change, direction, or decisions ◊Proposals -request funding or acceptance -in exchange for work to be performed

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17 Organizing Reports Determine the Mission Ineffective problem/mission statement  Productivity is down because employee morale is low  Changes in the market make this a good time to invest in real estate  Meadowvale Health Clinic requires additional funding to maintain its current level of service